Concussions in Youth Athletes - Alabama

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Alabama

Governor Robert Bentley signed HB 108 into law on June 9, 2011. HB 108 can be found at section 22-11E-1 through 22-11E-2 of the Alabama Code under the title dealing with health, mental health and environmental control laws. (Ala. Code § 22-11E-1 through § 22-11E-2).

This law requires sports or recreational organizations to develop concussion guidelines, provide concussion training and education to parents/guardians and athletes, and requires the parents/guardian to sign a concussion information sheet annually. The law also requires that coaches be trained about concussions. Finally, any youth athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion must be removed from the game or practice and may not return to play until evaluated by a licensed doctor and receives written clearance.

Effective May 10, 2012, Section 22-11E-2 there were several amendments to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of an insignificant nature. The most significant change was to paragraph (d) of 22-11E-2 with the addition of the language prohibiting a youth athlete from returning to play the day of the injury and until he or she (bold is added language) is evaluated by a licensed physician and receives written clearance to return to play.

The terms “sport” and “recreational organization” are not defined in this statue or anywhere else in the Code.

The official versions of sections 22-11E-1 through 22-11E-2 are not currently available online as an external link, but may be view online at:

http://www.alabama.gov/sliverheader/Welcome.do?url=http://www.legislature.state.al.us/ALISNetHome.html

by clicking the left tab labeled “Code of ALA”, then click “view” in the on the left, click on Title 22 on the left, then click Title I on main page and page down to Chapter 11 E clicking on the link to view either section . (please note that the amendment to the statute has not been updated to the above noted link).

HB 50 was introduced in the Alabama in February 2012 and was referred to Committee on February 7, 2012. If enacted this legislation would require a period of seven (7) to elapse from the time that youth athlete is removed from play due a suspected concussion until he or she could resume competition.

The text of HB 50 can be viewed online at: http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/searchableinstruments/2012rs/bills/hb50.htm